Dr. Phillips Center poised to reveal shows — but not its opening act

Work continues on the Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center… (George Skene, Orlando Sentinel )

June 11, 2014|By Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer

We know Broadway is coming, but Central Florida will get a first glimpse Thursday of the performances that will help christen Orlando's new downtown performing-arts center.

"We're going to announce family programs, so people can start planning for them," said Kathy Ramsberger, president of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

A jazz-concert series also will be unveiled Thursday, Ramsberger said. Nnenna Freelon, a six-time Grammy-nominated jazz singer, will perform at the announcement, and pop singer Jon Secada also will be present.

But one key question will remain unanswered: What will the entertainment be at the center's opening gala, now expected to be Nov. 15?

"We've got talent that's on hold," said Ramsberger. "We have to get through the contractual aspects of it."

Working around the mystery talent's schedule means the gala is likely to move from its original date of Nov. 7. The ribbon-cutting will remain Nov. 6.

The $514 million center will be home to touring Broadway shows, co-presented with Florida Theatrical Association. "The Phantom of the Opera" will kick off that series in December, and "The Book of Mormon" will return to Orlando at Christmastime.

Orlando Ballet also has unveiledits lineup for the center, now under construction.Its season will include "Swan Lake" and perennial favorite "The Nutcracker."

But don't expect any out-of-town orchestras to visit the center anytime soon.

"What we don't want to do is stage classical performances against our own Philharmonic in the Bob Carr," she said. "If we want to present orchestras in the future, we will go to the Phil and work with them."

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will continue to present its main concert series in the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. A theater for classical-music performances is in the Dr. Phillips Center plans but lacks the necessary funding to start construction.

The automated online-ticketing service is not expected to be ready until July, Ramsbergersaid. Until then, ticket buyers can submit an online request to be contacted by a Dr. Phillips representative. A temporary box office for in-person transactions will be set up in the "round building," the Dr. Phillips headquarters at South Orange Avenue and South Street.

Ramsberger said the novelty of the venue's first year means she's "not worried at all" if arts patrons spent their money elsewhere while waiting for the announcement. Orlando's largest theaters — such as Orlando Shakespeare, Orlando Repertory and Mad Cow — have been selling season-ticket packages for weeks.

"It's a brand-new arts center," she said. "This is the first look at what the arts center is going to be."